In conjunction with our March/April 2013 issue, we present The Billy Reid Shindig Sampler for download. Be sure to catch performances from these great artists at the Billy Reid Shindig, in Austin, Texas, March 13-14, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Weather Up. (R.S.V.P. for the event here.) The Wednesday afternoon Shindig is co-sponsored by [...]

Recorded live at American Songwriter’s office, “She’s A Sparrow” takes a beautiful, lonely flight through heartbreak and nostalgia. “She’s a sparrow and I’m a street,” Ryan sings, “and I’ll watch her float away from me.” The only accompaniment is a finger-plucked acoustic guitar, as tender as melancholic as the lyrics themselves. "She’s A Sparrow" (Live [...]

A former punk rocker, Calvin Love tries his hand at burbling, effervescent computer pop on “Magic Hearts.” Synthesizers and MIDI drums come together like sugar and water, turning this song into the sort of smart, candied confection that’s worth chipping a tooth over. "Magic Hearts" by Calvin Love

“Even If We Try” is gorgeous and haunting, an orchestral ballad anchored by simple piano chords and a smart, sophisticated string arrangement. It’s Winston Yellen’s voice that leaves the biggest impact, though. Armed with an octave-spanning range that flies far above the treble clef, he sounds like a reincarnated Jeff Buckley singing in some astral [...]

As one third of Pistol Annies, Ashley Monroe sings old-school country tunes about taking pills and chasing boys. Here, she gets back to her solo career with the melancholic title track of her second album. Over a boom-chic chord progression that evokes Johnny Cash and a lush pedal steel riff worthy of an Emmylou Harris [...]

Hank Williams’ granddaughter dedicates this sad-eyed country ballad to a fickle lover who can’t stop running around her back. While fiddles and acoustic guitars duel in the background, she poses a string of questions – “Why you drinking like the night is young?”, Why you cheating on a woman like this?”, “Why you leaving like [...]

These Brooklyn coeds channel the South on “I Want To Be Relieved,” a foot-stomping, hell-raising song that allows every instrument in the band’s arsenal – from fiddle to banjo to acoustic guitar to washboard – to take the lead for a brief moment. Between string-band solos and rustic riffs, the Family members pile their voices [...]

This Cajun-flavored rock anthem finds the Lost Bayou Ramblers widening their sound with help from Scarlett Johansson, who makes a cameo during the chorus (singing in Cajun French, no less), and producer Koren Richey, who gives the song a sweeping, cinematic touch. Once the refrain hits, it’s easy to be swept away, even if you [...]

The Dropkick Murphys show off their ink with “Rose Tattoo,” a lilting folk song that uses Ken Casey’s tattooed skin to weave a larger story about the band, its hometown, and its fans. “The pictures tell the story,” Casey sings in a punky brogue during the first verse, his voice drawing equally from punk rock [...]

Luke Doucet just wasn’t made for these times. “I been listening to the radio sometimes, and it’s making my backbone wilt,” he sings at the beginning of “Peterbilt Coalmine,” a bitter, biting tune about an old-school musician trying to find his place in today’s world. At least he’s got the company of bandmate Melissa McClelland, [...]

Caught halfway between heartland folk-rock and classic power-pop, this track – the leadoff single from Joshua James’ third album, From The Top Of Willamette Mountain – pits the songwriter’s voice against a strutting bass line and an airy, atmospheric guitar riff. "Queen Of The City" by Joshua James

"Waiting 4 The World 2 End" by Amy Cook This apocalyptic pop/rocker is the first track from Summer Skin, Amy Cook’s followup to Let The Light In. Like an early Kathleen Edwards song, “Waiting For The World” mixes upbeat pop/rock with heartland rock & roll, rolling the best parts of each into a four-minute blast [...]